Simi Valley Is Having No More Second Thoughts

After finishing second in the Marmonte League for five consecutive seasons, the Simi Valley High softball team’s goal is obvious.

The Pioneers, striving for the league championship, took a small step toward achieving that goal Thursday by beating defending champion Camarillo, 1-0.

Although Thursday’s game was just the league opener for both teams, Simi Valley placed extra importance on the matchup. Camarillo, after all, began the season ranked No. 1 in the state by Cal-Hi Sports magazine.

“We had a great practice yesterday,” Simi Valley Coach Suzanne Manlet said, “and we had a really good talk.”

The practice and inspiring words paid off. While sophomore right-hander Sara Griffin (3-1) kept Camarillo batters off balance, Simi Valley’s defense kept the Scorpions off the bases.

Griffin scattered three hits, struck out six and walked no one. Of the six Camarillo batters to reach base, three were thrown out trying to advance. Griffin nailed one runner at second and got another at the plate on a squeeze bunt in the fourth inning.

Simi Valley (6-1), ranked fifth in the Southern Section 5-A Division preseason poll, scored the game’s only run in the fifth.

Griffin led off with a drag bunt, and, although first baseman Ginny Mike fielded the ball cleanly, she was charged with an error when her throw hit Griffin in the back of her left leg.

After Griffin advanced to second on a groundout, Kris Lufkin singled up the middle. Center fielder Johnna Mike threw a strike to catcher Miki Mangan, but Mangan’s tag just missed Griffin as she ran by.

The run gave Griffin all the inspiration she needed to finish the game.

“As soon as she got that run, I think she got really confident,” Manlet said.

Indeed. Working with the precarious lead, Griffin retired the final nine batters in order--four on strikeouts.

The loss was the second in three games for Camarillo (4-2), the defending 5-A champion.

Junior right-hander Laura Richardson (3-1), last year’s 5-A player of the year, had control problems throughout but still pitched a two-hitter and struck out nine. Richardson, who is recovering from a rotator-cuff injury, threw 112 pitches and walked three.

“She just wasn’t sharp,” Camarillo Coach Darwin Tolzin said. “Usually, Laura has complete control of the strike zone, but this is the worst I’ve ever seen her struggle.”